South Africa, through the SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) is hosting the development of an international standard for innovative off the grid sanitation technologies and systems. The African Water Association (AfWA) is participating in this meeting through the attendance of our Executive Director, Mr. Sylvain USHER, and the RASOP Coordinator, Mr. Mbaye MBEGUERE. Formed in May 2016, ISO PC 305 is dedicated to the development of an international non¬-sewered sanitation systems standard. In an effort toward that goal, an International Workshop Agreement (IWA) was published in September 2016, serving as the basis for the development of the new international standard. The standard will be applicable to individual and community sanitation systems that are self-contained, meet defined discharge requirements, and aim for sustainability.

The meeting is attended by several national and international standards bodies, and represented experts on the subject. The standard development aligns to SABS/TC 224: Service activities relating to drinking water supply system and wastewater systems - Quality criteria of the service and performance indicators committee, as well as aligns to the Minister of Water and Sanitation’s clarion call to develop new innovative sanitation solutions that were ‘not all about flushing’. The South Africa team supporting the SABS is from the Water Research Commission and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

This important standard will advance the development of high quality and durable products, but also protect consumers and users. This standard will be very relevant to professionals in the sanitation sector. This will inform the execution of the RASOP program, implemented by AfWA, which focuses on reinforcing the capacities of African sanitation operators through partnerships in five African countries (Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, Zambia, and Cameroon).